MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Preparation Booklet St. Joseph s Church 95 Plum Brook Road Somers, New York 10589 www.stjosephsomers.org (914) 232-2910 (914) 232-2912 (fax) PASTORAL STAFF: Fr. John M. Lagiovane, Pastor Fr. Rufus Kenny, Parochial Vicar Fr. Jude Aguwa, Parochial Vicar Deacon Lawrence Battersby Deacon George Sica Mr. Joseph J. Nigro, Director of Sacred Music
Dear Friend, The family of faith that is St. Joseph s Church, offers to you and your family our sincerest love and sympathy during this most difficult time. The loss of a loved one is never easy, so please know that our parish family is praying that our Heavenly Father may send His Holy Spirit to strengthen and console you in your grief. Though you are brought together by death, the Funeral Mass surrounds us with the symbols of resurrection and new life. In this way, Holy Mother Church reminds us that in Jesus victory over death lies our assured hope of eternal life. Just as our deceased loved one was once brought to the saving waters of Baptism, you now bring them for burial. Just as the family of the deceased participated in the Rite of Baptism, you now have the opportunity to participate in their burial. We invite and encourage you to participate as much as possible in this preparation for, and in the celebration of, the Funeral Mass. It is completely understandable if you would prefer not to do this, and if so, we will do it for you. You might like to meet with the priest or deacon to help you in planning the Mass. Please know that the priests of St. Joseph s Church will be available to assist you in the planning process. If you choose to participate in the planning of the Funeral Mass, we offer this booklet as a help to you. Please review the following pages and select readings and music that are meaningful to you in light of the life of your loved one. Please know that we are here to support you in any way possible, not only during this most difficult time, but also in the days and weeks ahead. Please do not hesitate to call on us if there is anything we can do for you. With our prayers, love and sympathy, The Parish Family of St. Joseph s Church
GENERAL REFLECTIONS: At the funerals of its children, the Church confidently celebrates Christ s Paschal Mystery. Its intention is that those who were made one with Christ in Baptism may also pass from death to life with Him. In soul, they are to be cleansed from earthly sin and taken up into heaven with the saints and the elect; in body, they await the blessed hope of Christ s coming and the resurrection of the dead. The body of the deceased Catholic Christian is the body that was once washed in Baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. Although cremation is now permitted, the Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the Funeral Mass, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values that the Church affirms in those rites. At the Funeral Mass, the Church pours forth prayers and petitions for the deceased. Because of the communion of all of Christ s members with each other, all of these things bring spiritual aid to the dead and the consolation of hope to the living. FEES: Church Offering - $350.00 Organist - $250.00 Soloist - $175.00 Other fees may apply for additional services or requests. PREPARATION FOR FUNERAL MASS: Readings Using the selections in the booklet provided (Through Death to Life), please choose a First Reading and a Second Reading. These selections should reflect some aspect of the life of the deceased, or should have some particular meaning to you. Please indicate the passages selected on the FUNERAL MASS PLANNER sheet provided. You may have someone other than the priest read these passages during the Mass, if you so choose. Please also indicate the name(s) of the reader(s), and the priest will invite them to do the readings at the appropriate time during the Mass. The Responsorial Psalm will be sung by the Cantor. Please be advised that only a baptized Catholic can read the sacred scriptures during the celebration of mass. Music Music is an integral part of Catholic worship and is designed to enhance the prayer at mass. Secular music (popular songs, show tunes, etc.) is not appropriate during a Funeral Mass and is not permitted. Please refer to the Guidelines for selecting Liturgical Music for the Mass of Christian Burial found on the reverse side of the FUNERAL MASS PLANNER sheet. Select as many as three (3) pieces from that list. (You may indicate that all music is to be selected by the Director of Sacred Music.) Additional selections (not included on that sheet) may be made from the parish hymnal. Music selections will be played at the appropriate rite during the Funeral Mass. Be sure to complete the Music Section on the FUNERAL MASS PLANNER sheet with your selections. Questions regarding the music or requests for additional instrumentalists/soloists should be addressed in advance with the Director of Sacred Music at 914-318-3268 or by E-mail at <sjcsmusic95@gmail.com>. Eulogy Please be advised that Eulogies are NOT permitted at the Funeral Liturgy. If a family would like a Eulogy, it may be done at the Funeral Home during the wake hours or after the prayers at the grave.
PARTICIPATION IN THE FUNERAL MASS: Pallbearers It is customary that family members and/or friends of the deceased serve as pallbearers at the church. This matter should be arranged directly with your funeral director. Entrance into the Church The Rite of Reception takes place in the narthex of the Church. Following the greeting, the coffin is sprinkled with holy water, reminding us of the waters of Baptism. The funeral pall is then placed on the coffin. This white cloth over the coffin reminds us of the white garment that was given at Baptism as a sign of the new life of grace entered into at that time. Just as family members clothed the infant in the new white garment at Baptism, it is appropriate that family members place the funeral pall on the coffin at this time, and we invite you to do so. If you choose to place the pall, please let the priest know before the beginning of the Funeral Mass. Readers When it is time for the Readings to be proclaimed, the celebrant will invite to the pulpit the person(s) you have chosen to do the reading(s). It is suggested that the readers, using the booklet provided, have practiced the readings beforehand. They do not need to take this booklet into the pulpit with them, since the chosen readings will be located in a binder on the pulpit or you can bring a copy with you. Gift Bearers It is customary that two family members present the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory time of the Mass. The names of the Gift Bearers should be indicated on the FUNERAL MASS PLANNER sheet. Holy Communion Only Roman Catholics in the state of grace should receive Holy Communion. Non- Catholics and those unable to receive are invited to take this time to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased in this difficult time.
St. Joseph s Church FUNERAL MASS PLANNER: Revised July 2017 To be completed and returned to Funeral Director at time of Wake. Deceased: Mass Date / Time: Contact Person: Phone: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Biographical Notes about your Loved One Entrance into the Church: Placing of the Pall: Readings: First Reading: C- Old Testament Read by: Second Reading: _E_-New Testament Read by: Gift Bearers:(2) Music: Selection One: Selection Two: Selection Three: Check here to indicate your preference to have the Director of Sacred Music make the music selection(s). Initials:
Saint Joseph Church 95 Plum Brook Road Somers, New York 10589 www.stjosephsomers.org (914) 232-2910 (914) 232-2912 (fax) Initials: Liturgical Music for the Mass of Christian Burial Here are the guidelines for choosing the music for a Funeral Mass: Select up to three (3) pieces from the list below. (You may indicate that all music is to be selected by the Director of Sacred Music.) Additional selections (not included on the list below) may be made from the parish hymnal. Music selections will be played at the appropriate liturgical rite during the Funeral Mass. Please complete the FUNERAL MASS PLANNER sheet on the reverse side of this sheet. This sheet must be completed and returned to the Funeral Director at the time of the Wake. If you are planning to prepare a printed program for the Funeral Mass, kindly email a copy of such printed program to the Director of Sacred Music for review at least a day before the mass. Questions regarding the music or requests for additional instrumentalists/soloists should be addressed in advance as well, to the Director of Sacred Music at 914-318-3268 or by E-mail at sjcsmusic95@gmail.com. SUGGESTED MUSIC SELECTIONS: Abide With Me All Creatures of our God and King Alleluia, Sing to Jesus Amazing Grace Ave Maria (various composers) Christ is Made the Sure Foundation Crown Him With Many Crowns The Day of Resurrection Dwellers in the Holy City For All the Saints How Great Thou Art I Am the Bread of Life (Toolan) I Heard the Voice of Jesus I Know that My Redeemer Lives In Paradisum (Plain Chant) Jerusalem My Happy Home Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring Jesus Christ is Risen Today The King of Love Lord of All Hopefulness Love Divine, All Loves Excelling My Shepherd Will Supply My Need O God Beyond All Praising O God Our Help in Ages Past O Rest in the Lord (Mendelssohn) Panis Angelicus (various composers) Pie Jesu (various composers) Praise My Soul the King of Heaven Prayer of St. Francis Rejoice the Lord is King Saints of God (Marier) Shepherd of Souls Sing With All the Saints in Glory The Strife is O er (Palestrina) To Jesus Christ Our Sovreign King What Wondrous Love is This Whatsoever You Do (Jabusch) Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones